ENDODONTIC WORKING LENGTH ASSESSMENT - COMPARISON OF STORAGE PHOSPHORDIGITAL IMAGING AND RADIOGRAPHIC FILM

Objective. This study compared the difference in interpretation of the position of endodontic file tips between two imaging systems: photost imulable storage phosphor luminescence imaging versus radiographic fil m. Study design. Thirteen patients were selected at random. Preoperati ve and trial file length radiographs were made with a dual image recep tor composed of a Digora Digital Imaging Plate and a piece of Ektaspee d Plus film. Exposure techniques for E-speed film were used. Root leng th and file length measurements were made from digital images with the Digora system's measuring tools. Measurements were also made on radio graphic film with a 7x measuring magnifier. Root length, file length, and their difference were compared for both film and digital images. R esults. Differences were found to be less in digital than in film imag es. Photostimulable storage phosphor luminescence imaging performed si milarly to Ektaspeed Plus film for measuring root lengths, but file ti p positions (especially of small file sizes) were difficult to visuali ze with E-speed film. Conclusions. The smaller difference between file tip and root apex found with digital imaging suggests that this techn ique is more accurate to assess trial file length. This imaging modali ty for assessing file positions during root canal treatment may be ben eficial to the practitioner.